European observers helped by oppositionist in Armenia
There can be no talk of real elections in Armenia, Armen Rustamyan, a senior member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun, said during the Strasbourg-hosted session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
Speaking at the discussion of the Progress report of the Bureau, Mr. Rustamyan said PACE delegates issued their report on the results of the May parliamentary elections in Armenia without considering the opinion of the opposition. Seizing the opportunity, he dwelt on violations and election fraud, which according to the ARF-D member, frustrated the balance of the elections.
He highlighted the issue of restoring the confidence of voters before next year's presidential elections in Armenia.
Unlike Armen Rustamyan, head of the Armenian delegation to PACE Davit Harutyunyan, complained of the sharp criticism the PACE delegates gave in the report. He had earlier raised the issue at the Bureau sitting. Mr. Harutyunyan said the recent parliamentary election registered progress in Armenia though they were far from being ideal elections. He suggested that observers include in their reports only facts. Besides, as Mr. Harutyunyan said, it is advisable that people accompanying observers be non-partisans. Without giving names, Davit Harutyunyan noted that he saw one of the people accompanying European observers in a video shot by the opposition.
The head of the Armenian delegation finished his speech by answering the accusations of 'Semed Seyidov, head of the Azerbaijan delegation to PACE. The latter announced that Armenia failed to demonstrate willpower which is a key requirement in the talks over the Karabakh issue. Mr. Harutyunyan reminded the PACE delegates that Azerbaijan is constantly engaged in war rhetoric but he was hopeful that the dialogue is not exhausted.
